Working From Home Can Make You A Target — Here’s What You Should Know

Cybercriminals are exploiting the thirst for information amid the pandemic — be careful about what you download.

Working from your bedroom is no longer a luxury. The COVID-19 outbreak made it a reality for many. Companies are shifting to remote work on unprecedented rates, but this puts the security of employees and companies at risk. Implementing the same level of protection as at the office can be challenging, and cybercriminals are taking advantage of the chaos.

The risks are much higher now, especially if workers use their personal computers. They usually are more vulnerable to digital threats. Some personal devices lack proper security software and don’t have restrictions on what can be installed. Much of the safety of both private and company data depends on the employees’ own vigilance. But it’s not easy when criminals are using the pandemic to wreak havoc.

Ransomware attacks against institutions, coronavirus-related phishing scams, and malicious apps claiming to send pandemic updates are just the tip of the iceberg. Reports about fraud related to COVID-19 have increased four times in March alone.

How to protect yourself when working from home

Since most of your and your business’ security comes down to you, make sure to follow these steps to avoid becoming a target.

Try not to mix business and personal. This is not just keeping a good work and life balance when staying at home. Don’t mix your personal accounts with work accounts. Use your work credentials exclusively for work and vice versa. Furthermore, if at all possible, keep devices that you work on separate from your own.

Be careful about the stuff you download. The sudden move to remote work may require you to install some new software on your work or personal computer. Whether it’s a new antimalware, VPN, or video conferencing tool, make sure you’re getting a legitimate one. Do your research before installing anything and get your apps from the official stores.

Keep your software up to date. Most companies come out with regular software updates for their products. Even though this might be annoying, never skip updating your apps. Updates contain crucial fixes for security vulnerabilities that might get exploited by hackers. Use only the Wi-Fi you trust.

Use a remote access VPN. Business VPN is a great way to improve security on your and your coworkers’ devices. It provides safe remote access to company resources and encrypts all internet traffic. Encryption prevents criminals from snooping on your online activities. This is especially useful since home Wi-Fi is likely to have way less protection than the Wi-Fi at your office.

Get antimalware. This is the first line of defense against malicious software if you end up clicking on the wrong link. However, keep in mind that it can’t protect you against all malware, so stay alert. Don’t trust emails or messages trying to scare you into downloading something, clicking on a link, or providing personal information.

Overview your logins. Did you enable multi-factor authentication? Are your passwords complex enough? This time is as good as any to update your passwords and login methods. Make sure you’re using multi-factor authentication where possible and your passwords don’t repeat on different accounts.

Lock up your device if you don’t live alone. Whether you’re at the office, shared workspace, or at home, locking up your devices is a good habit to have. Don’t stop doing it even if you’re staying in your bedroom. Whether it’s an unruly child or your prankster roommate, tinkering with your work device can end up in disaster.

Backup your data. Accidents do happen, even if you’re following strict measures to prevent it. Make sure you’re backing up important data regularly onto a separate device. Whether it’s a power outage or a ransomware attack, make sure company data isn’t lost forever.

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